For Rutgers

Where have you gone 2006? For Rutgers it seems like ancient history. The team had their best season in 30 years and finished that season 11-2 and many good things were forecasted for the New Jersey program for years to come. Two years later we are back to the patented Rutgers football that we remember. The Scarlet Knights started 1-5, but have rallied back for two straight games and look to take extend that modest streak to three against a typically horrendous Syracuse program Saturday afternoon in New Jersey.

Rutgers (3-5, 2-2) have sputtered to their subpar season. This is largely to do with a very poor offensive. The Scarlet Knights rank 89th in total yards, 107th in rushing yards and 96th in points scored. They can throw the ball around, but still only rank in the middle of the pack (48th) in passing yards.

All told Scarlet Knights quarterback Mike Teel has had a rather decent year. The senior signal caller has thrown for 1723 yards with 9 touchdowns, including going 14 for 21 for 361 yards for six touchdowns and one interception last week in a 54-34 upset at Pittsburgh on October 25. One of Teel's touchdowns went 79 yards.

Syracuse (2-6, 1-3) is suffering through another tough season and will miss a bowl game for the seventh straight season. Last week the Orange snapped a three game losing streak by beating Louisville 28-21 at the Carrier Dome. For Syracuse it has been the opposite of Rutgers. They have a decent rushing attack but a toothless passing game. Tailback Curtis Brinkley has gained 900 yards on 165 carries, an average of over 5 yards per carry. Brinkley has also scored five times. The senior gained 166 yards with a touchdown in the victory over the Cardinals.

While Rutgers is looking to win their third straight game, they will also be looking to extend their winning streak over Syracuse to four games. The last time the Orangemen won in the series was 2004 in the Carrier Dome. The last time Syracuse won in Piscataway was 2001.